Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J M Powers.
We present the MRI findings in two patients with "fibro-osseous lesions" involving the central nervous system. A left temporal lobe mass was present in one patient and an extra-axial mass at the skull base in the other. In both cases, calcification was present, with low signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted images.
Gates Glidden drills are exposed to a variety of conditions during clinical usage. These usually include canal preparation, endodontic irrigants, and sterilization procedures. All sizes 1 to 6 (n = 5/size) were tested and the torsional fracture strength determined. There were four groups (n = 30/group): group A, control; group B, sterilized 10 times; group C, exposed to 5.25% NaOCl during testing; and group D, sterilized 10 times and exposed to NaOCl during testing. Data were analyzed by ANOVA. Tukey-Kramer intervals at the 0.05 significance level were calculated. No significant differences were noted as a result of simulated clinical conditions. The larger diameter instruments had significantly higher torsional fracture strength.
Orthodontic bands often fail clinically at the band-cement interface. Hybrid ionomer and resin cements and a glass ionomer control were bonded to photo-etched and standard band materials, both of which were tested in as-received and air-abraded conditions. Cements were placed in a 3 mm diameter mold at the bonding interface and bonded to 6 x 6 mm stainless steel band specimens mounted to acrylic blocks. Specimens were stored in water for 24 hours at 37 degreesC and debonded in tension on a testing machine at 0.05 cm/minutes. Bond strengths (MPa) were calculated and data were analyzed by analysis of variance. Bond strengths to as-received bands were less than 3.4 MPa for cements tested, whereas bond strengths to air-abraded bands ranged from 7.1 to 17.7 MPa, except for the glass ionomer control. Air abrasion of band materials provides highly increased bond strength of hybrid ionomer and resin cements.
The role of exercise and sport in the lives of intravenous drug users (n = 45) was assessed, using an interviewer-administered open-ended questionnaire. Results demonstrated a high level of exercise and sport interest in this population (64%). Being a sports fan was also found in most of the responses (72%). This study on the role of exercise and sport in an intravenous drug-using population could be considered when developing rehabilitation measures or as an addition to present therapeutic interventions.
PURPOSE: In-vitro bond strengths of 3 denture base resins (Trutone, Lucitone 199, and Triad) to a nickel-chromium-beryllium removable partial denture alloy (Ticonium) were tested with 3 surface pretreatments: sandblast, acid etch, and Rocatec (silica blasting), with or without primers (Dentsply, CR inlay cement, and Super Bond). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Lucitone 199 denture base resin bonded to the nonprimed sandblasted alloy specimen served as the control group. Alloy specimens were prepared, surface treated, and primed or not primed with primer. The treated specimens were then packed and processed with the denture base resin. Bonded specimens were stored in the distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours, and then debonded in tension. The force at which the bond failed was noted, and bond strength was calculated in megapascals (MPa). Five replications for each condition (180 specimens total) were tested. RESULTS: Significant differences in bond strength were observed with primer, the most important factor, followed by pretreatment and denture base resin. Without primer for all 3 denture base resins, the Met-Etch and Rocatec treated group showed significantly higher bond strengths than the sandblasted groups. For Trutone denture base resin, nonprimed treated groups produced significantly higher bond strength than those for the other 2 denture base resin, nonprimed treated groups produced significantly higher bond strength than those for the other 2 denture base resins. The control group had zero bond strength. For Dentsply primer, the Rocatec treated group bonded to Lucitone 199 resin produced the highest bond strength value (14.8 +/- 1.8 MPa). For CR inlay cement, the Met-Etch and Rocatec treated groups for Lucitone denture base resin demonstrated the highest bond strength (19.3 +/- 4.8 MPa, and 19.3 +/- 1.8 MPa, respectively). For super Bond primer, the Met-Etch treated group for Trutone resin demonstrated the highest bond strength (19.8 +/- 6.2 MPa). CONCLUSIONS: Without primer, the control had the lowest bond strength (0 MPa), and the Trutone groups showed the highest bond strength (11.7 +/- 4.1 MPa). Met-Etch and Rocatec treated groups produced higher bond strengths than the sandblasted groups. The primed specimens demonstrated significantly higher bond strengths than nonprimed specimens, except for Trutone resin, for which primed specimens produced lower bond strengths than the nonprimed specimens.
A process has been developed to manufacture biodegradable composite foams of poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and hydroxyapatite short fibers for use in bone regeneration. The processing technique allows the manufacture of three-dimensional foam scaffolds and involves the formation of a composite material consisting of a porogen material (either gelatin microspheres or salt particles) and hydroxyapatite short fibers embedded in a PLGA matrix. After the porogen is leached out, an open-cell composite foam remains which has a pore size and morphology defined by the porogen. By changing the weight fraction of the leachable component it was possible to produce composite foams with controlled porosities ranging from 0.47 +/- 0.02 to 0.85 +/- 0.01 (n = 3). Up to a polymer:fiber ratio of 7:6, short hydroxyapatite fibers served to reinforce low-porosity PLGA foams manufactured using gelatin microspheres as a porogen. Foams with a compressive yield strength up to 2.82 +/- 0.63 MPa (n = 3) and a porosity of 0.47 +/- 0.02 (n = 3) were manufactured using a polymer:fiber weight ratio of 7:6. In contrast, high-porosity composite foams (up to 0.81 +/- 0.02, n = 3) suitable for cell seeding were not reinforced by the introduction of increasing quantities of hydroxyapatite short fibers. We were therefore able to manufacture high-porosity foams which may be seeded with cells but which have minimal compressive yield strength, or low porosity foams with enhanced osteoconductivity and compressive yield strength.
PURPOSE: In vitro bond strengths of traditional denture base acrylic resin (Lucitone 199) to a cobalt-chromium partial denture alloy (J.D. Partial Denture Alloy) were tested using two surface pretreatments (sandblast, sandblast and electrochemical etch) with three adhesive primers: Lee Metal Primer, Acrylic Solder, and CR Inlay cement. A sandblasted group with no primer served as the control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The alloy specimens (8.0-mm bonding diameter) were cast and invested to receive a traditional denture base resin after surface treatments (sandblasted, and sandblasted-electrochemically etched) and application of adhesive primers. The bonded specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours and divided into two groups. The first group was debonded in tension on a testing machine at a cross-head speed of 0.05 cm/min. The second group was subjected to thermocycling of 1,000 cycles and then tested for tensile bond strength. The force at which the bond failed was recorded, and the bond strength was calculated in megapascals (MPa). The sites of bond failure were examined, quantified under (20x) magnification, and recorded. Ten specimens were evaluated for each experimental condition for a total of 160 specimens. Data were analyzed by ANOVA with a factorial design. Means were compared by Tukey intervals at the 0.05 significance level. RESULTS: Significant differences in bond strength were observed, with primers being the most important factor, followed by pretreatment and storage and thermocycling with significant interactions. Sandblasted-electrochemically etched alloy with primers more effectively enhanced bond strength of the denture base resin to the treated alloy than sandblasted alloy with primers. Thermocycling had a greater effect on bond strength of the specimens with Acrylic Solder when compared with Lee and CR Inlay primers. The highest bond strengths (> or = 18.0 MPa) were observed for the conditions involving electrochemical etching and the priming with CR Inlay cement (both after 24 hours and thermocycling of 1,000 cycles). For primed specimens, the bond failures occurred cohesively within the primers or the denture resin and adhesively between the primers and the denture base resin, or between primers and alloy. For nonprimed, the bond failures occurred adhesively at the denture base resin-metal interface. CONCLUSIONS: Nonprimed specimens (both sandblasted and electrochemically etched) had lowest bond strength (0.4 +/- 0.1 MPa; 0.3 +/- 0.4 MPa). The bond strengths of the primed treated specimens were improved significantly. The CR Inlay-treated specimens exhibited the highest bond strength (20.6 +/- 6.3 MPa). After thermocycling for 1,000 cycles, the bond strengths of the specimens were significantly lower than the bond strengths of the specimens after 24 hours.
Neurological dysfunction is a prominent feature of most peroxisomal disorders. Enormous progress in defining their gene defects has been achieved. The genes and gene products, peroxins (PEX), in five of the complementation groups have been defined. These studies confirm that Zellweger syndrome (ZS), neonatal adrenoleukodystrophy (NALD), and infantile Refsum disease (IRD) are a disease continuum. The gene defect in adreno-leukodystrophy (ALD) / adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN) involves an integral peroxisomal membrane protein. Neuropathologic lesions are of three major classes: (i) abnormalities in neuronal migration or differentiation, (ii) defects in the formation or maintenance of central white matter, and (iii) postdevelopmental neuronal degenerations. The central white matter lesions are those of: (i) inflammatory demyelination, (ii) non-inflammatory dysmyelination, and (iii) non-specific reductions in myelin volume or staining with or without reactive astrocytosis. The neuronal degenerations are of two major types: (i) the axonopathy of AMN involving ascending and descending tracts of the spinal cord, and (ii) cerebellar atrophy in rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata and probably IRD. We postulate that the abnormal fatty acids in peroxisomal disorders, particularly very long chain fatty acids and phytanic acid, are incorporated into cell membranes and perturb their microenvironments resulting in dysfunction, atrophy and death of vulnerable cells. The advent of mouse models for ZS and ALD is anticipated to provide even greater pathogenetic insights into the peroxisomal disorders.
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For many years, the structures of the medial temporal lobe have been implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Recent hypotheses, based on data from MRI and functional imaging, propose that disruption of frontotemporal neural networks may be an anatomical substrate of schizophrenia. Many studies have focused on possible abnormalities of the hippocampus within this network. However, the role of the amygdala has been little studied because of the relative complexity of its structure and the paucity of patients with confined amygdaloid lesions. The authors present a case of chronic psychosis in which postmortem findings reveal lesions in and adjacent to the left amygdala. They use this case to review what is known of the functional anatomy of the amygdala and its possible role in some psychoses.
We report a family with band heterotopia in a mother and daughter and lissencephaly in a son (X-linked inheritance pattern). Postmortem examination of the boy revealed classical lissencephaly and, among other findings, simplified and discontinuous inferior olives without inferior olivary heterotopia. The absence of inferior olivary heterotopia may distinguish X-linked lissencephaly from other conditions with classic lissencephaly such as Miller-Dieker syndrome.
This study evaluated the color stability of a polyacid-modified composite (compomer) upon exposure to stains. Five disks were prepared for immersion in each of five stains: coffee, chlorhexidine, cola, red wine, and water as a control. Color measurements were made on a reflection spectrophotometer at baseline, after 24-hour incubation, and after 24, 48, and 72 hour immersion in each stain. At 24 hours, perceptible color changes occurred for specimens in red wine and coffee. After 48 hours, perceptible color changes occurred for specimens in cola. Chlorhexidine and water caused no perceptible color changes. A compomer is susceptible to staining by coffee, red wine, and cola.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of dyes for caries detection on tensile bond strength of adhesive materials to artificial carious dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Buccal and lingual enamel of human molars were removed leaving intact dentin surfaces. The entire surface of each specimen was covered with nail varnish, keeping a window area of 4 x 4 mm. Artificial carious lesions were induced with acidified gel. Three dyes (0.5% basic fuchsin; Caries Finder and Cari-D-Tect) were used according to manufacturers' recommendations. Specimens were etched with 35% phosphoric acid for 20 s, washed and dried, leaving a wet dentin surface. The adhesive system (Prime & Bond 2.0) was applied in two layers and light-cured. Restorative materials (TPH Spectrum, Dyract, Advance) were bonded using a 3-mm diameter inverted-cone mold. Control groups were made without dye. Eight samples were tested for each group. After 24 hrs of storage in distilled water, the samples were debonded using a testing machine at 0.5 mm/min crosshead speed. RESULTS: ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer test showed that TPH Spectrum (0.73 MPa) and Dyract (0.74 MPa) had similar bond strengths, and both were higher than Advance (0.0 MPa), which was statistically different (P < 0.01). The use of the dyes did not cause any changes in tensile bond strength for any tested materials.
X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a peroxisomal disorder with impaired beta-oxidation of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) and reduced function of peroxisomal very long chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase (VLCS) that leads to severe and progressive neurological disability. The X-ALD gene, identified by positional cloning, encodes a peroxisomal membrane protein (adrenoleukodystrophy protein; ALDP) that belongs to the ATP binding cassette transporter protein superfamily. Mutational analyses and functional studies of the X-ALD gene confirm that it and not VLCS is the gene responsible for X-ALD. Its role in the beta-oxidation of VLCFAs and its effect on the function of VLCS are unclear. The complex pathology of X-ALD and the extreme variability of its clinical phenotypes are also unexplained. To facilitate understanding of X-ALD pathophysiology, we developed an X-ALD mouse model by gene targeting. The X-ALD mouse exhibits reduced beta-oxidation of VLCFAs, resulting in significantly elevated levels of saturated VLCFAs in total lipids from all tissues measured and in cholesterol esters from adrenal glands. Lipid cleft inclusions were observed in adrenocortical cells of X-ALD mice under the electron microscope. No neurological involvement has been detected in X-ALD mice up to 6 months. We conclude that X-ALD mice exhibit biochemical defects equivalent to those found in human X-ALD and thus provide an experimental system for testing therapeutic intervention.
BACKGROUND: The number of patients with motor neuron disease (MND) and a concomitant hematologic disorder appears to be overrepresented. Angiotropic large cell lymphoma, a rare and aggressive type of lymphoma, has been associated with MND only once (to our knowledge) prior to this report. There are more than 35 cases of MND associated with lymphoma or monoclonal gammopathy reported in the literature. The nature of this association remains disputable. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the association between some MNDs and certain hematologic disorders is coincidental or pathogenetically related. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe the clinical and neuropathologic findings in a case involving a 70-year-old man with a rapidly progressive lower MND who at autopsy also exhibited angiotropic large cell lymphoma without ischemic lesions in the nervous system. CONCLUSIONS: This case supports the notion that the association between some MNDs and certain hematologic disorders is not coincidental but pathogenetically related. A 2-hit hypothesis is proposed in which an initial abnormal glycosylation in motoneurons would require the production of an appropriate autoantibody for disease expression.
Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a non-arterio-atherosclerotic, non-amyloidotic arteriopathy affecting preferentially the small arteries and arterioles of the brain. The morphologic hallmark is the presence of a characteristic granular alteration of the arterial media that ultrastructurally corresponds to the accumulation of electron-dense material surrounding the smooth muscle cells. Although the presence of this granular osmiophilic material (GOM) was originally described as limited to brain vessels, identical electron microscopic findings have been demonstrated in the media of peripheral tissue arteries, allowing for a pathologic diagnosis of the disease by a simple skin, muscle or nerve biopsy. We report some atypical features identified in our CADASIL patients that broaden the phenotypic expression of this disease. Firstly, we identified a cortical infarct in an otherwise typical CADASIL patient. Secondly, we observed GOM in skin arteries of a 30-year-old man with hemiplegic migraine, the son of a woman who had died with CADASIL. This confirms that it may be possible to diagnose the disease at a preclinical stage by the ultrastructural evaluation of peripheral tissue biopsy material, particularly for individuals for whom there is a supporting family history. Thirdly, ultrastructural examination of the skin, and subcutaneous and striated muscle of an unrelated and apparently sporadic patient with neuropathologic and neuroradiologic evidence of CADASIL in meningeal and cerebral vessels failed to reveal diagnostic lesions in peripheral arteries. Thus, the possibility of a false-negative pathologic diagnosis in patients with a clinicoradiologic diagnosis of CADASIL, if one relies solely on a peripheral tissue biopsy, does exist. Additionally, we have identified heat shock proteins (Hsp70 and alphaB crystallin) and ubiquitin in the vascular myocytes of affected arteries. B crystallin also seemed to be deposited extracellularly, which suggests that GOM also might be immunoreactive for alphaB crystallin.
PURPOSE: In vitro bond strengths of a traditional denture base resin (Lucitone 199) and three adhesive denture base resins (Meta-Dent, Meta-Fast with liner, and Meta-Fast without liner) to treated nickel-chromium-beryllium (Ni-Cr-Be) partial denture alloy were tested with four alloy surface pretreatments (sandblast, Met-etch, Rocatec with silane, and Rocatec without silane), with or without primer (Dentsply). The Lucitone 199 resin bonded to the nonprimed sandblasted group was the control group. The hypothesis was the use of alloy pretreatments and/or primer does not improve the bond strength of denture base resins to sandblasted Ni-Cr-Be partial denture alloy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Primed and nonprimed bonded specimens were prepared and finished, stored in 37 degrees C distilled water for 24 hours, then debonded in tension on a testing machine. The bond strength was calculated in megapascals (MPa). Five specimens were prepared and tested for each experimental condition, both with and without primer, for a total of 160 specimens. RESULTS: For three-way analysis of variance, the main effects of resins and treatment were statistically significant (p < 0.05), but the main effect of primer was not statistically significantly (p > 0.05). Without primer, the control group had the lowest bond strength (0 MPa). The three adhesive resin groups produced significantly higher bond strengths than the Lucitone resin groups. For the treated groups, nearly all sandblasted groups produced significantly lower bond strength than the other three treated groups. Meta-Dent to Met-etch treated group had the highest bond strength (23.9 MPa). With primer, the bond strengths of the Lucitone resin groups were significantly higher than the nonprimed groups, and the Lucitone resin-primed Rocatec treated group had the highest bond strength (14.8 MPa). For the three adhesive denture base resins, nearly all primed treated groups had significantly lower bond strengths than nonprimed groups. CONCLUSIONS: Without primer, the Lucitone resin-sandblast treated group (control) had the lowest bond strength (0 MPa). The Meta-Dent denture base resin with the Met-etch treated group had the highest bond strength (23.9 MPa). With primer, the Lucitone resin-primed Rocatec-silane treated group had the highest bond strength (14.8 MPa). For the adhesive denture base resins, nearly all bond strengths of the primed treated groups were significantly lower than the values of the nonprimed groups.
BACKGROUND: Amyloidosis is a term that encompasses a group of disorders that have as their common feature the intercellular deposition of the amyloid protein by several different pathogenetic mechanisms. Primary solitary amyloidosis, or amyloidoma, is a rare subset of amyloidosis in which the amyloid deposition is focal and not secondary to a systemic process or plasma cell dyscrasia. We present the second reported case of a cervical spine amyloidoma and discuss its presentation and management. METHODS: This 58-year-old man presented with a 1-year history of intermittent chest pain that would radiate into both legs precipitated by valsalva maneuvers. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine revealed a homogenously enhancing lesion focally involving the C-7 vertebral level with significant spinal cord compression. He underwent combined anterior and posterior decompressive procedures with instrumentation for spinal stabilization. Histopathology revealed amyloid deposits and a systemic work-up was negative for amyloidosis. RESULTS: The patients is free of any tumor recurrence at 24 months and has a stable spine construct. CONCLUSIONS: Primary solitary amyloidosis is a rare subtype of amyloidosis which, unlike other forms of amyloidosis, has an excellent prognosis with local resection. Diagnosis requires special stains and therefore a degree of suspicion for the disease. Management of vertebral amyloidoma involves aggressive local resection of the tumor when feasible and stabilization of the spine as mandated by the degree of tumor involvement. Complete evaluation for the diagnosis of systemic amyloidosis is essential for the management and prognostication of each case.